Aysel

The Moon Temple of Darkville Pack had never looked more beautiful.

Silver lanterns hanging from the stone pillars glowed softly under the moonlight that shone through the open ceiling above. The temple was decorated with white roses and moon lilies.

Everything was perfect.

Everything was exactly as I had imagined it would be.

I stood before the sacred altar in a flowing white gown, my hands shaking slightly from anticipation. This was it.

Tonight, I would become Luna of the Blackville Pack and I would bond with Damon, my mate.

A small smile tugged at my lips.

If someone had told me a year ago that I would be standing here, I would have laughed in their face.

Life had been cruel enough to teach me not to expect happiness. Yet somehow I had found it.

I peered at Damon from beneath my veil. He looked handsome. He had always looked handsome since the day I saw him playing in the field when I was ten. The moonlight highlighted his dark hair and he looked every bit the powerful Alpha everyone admired.

The crowd watched him with reverence and I watched him with love. If I married him, everything would finally fall in place.

I knew he wasn't perfect but he loved me. He has told me so repeatedly even though these days he rarely spoke about his feelings.

But he was my mate and that meant something. Didn't it?

Yet as I looked at him, a strange feeling settled inside my chest.

Damon wasn't looking at me. He hadn't even glanced at me since I walked down the aisle. His eyes continuously scanned the crowd gathered inside the temple, he was looking for something or someone.

The smile on my lips slowly faded and my dread rose. I had a feeling I knew who he was looking for.

The priest stepped forward.

"The Moon Goddess has blessed this union."

The crowd cheered but Damon barely reacted.

Maybe he was nervous. This was an important ceremony.

Hundreds of wolves had gathered to witness it, anyone would be anxious so I forced myself to relax.

This was my moment.

I wouldn't ruin it with unnecessary doubts.

The priest raised his staff.

"Alpha Damon of Blackville Pack, do you swear before the Moon Goddess to honor, cherish, and protect your Luna?"

Finally, Damon's attention returned to the altar.

"I do."

The crowd erupted into applause and my heart fluttered.

The words sounded beautiful even if his voice lacked emotion.

The priest turned toward me.

"Aysel Rivers, do you swear before the Moon Goddess to stand beside your Alpha, guide your people, and uphold the sacred duties of Luna?"

This was it, this was the moment I had always dreamed about. With Damon I won't have to prove that I wasn't worthless. I won't have to fight for the affection of everyone even though I was the real daughter. I won't have to live in Celestine's shadow anymore.

I lifted my chin proudly.

"I do."

The cheers were even louder this time.

For the first time in my life, I felt seen and chosen. For once, nobody was comparing me to Celestine. Nobody was reminding me that she was prettier, kinder, more talented, more loved.

Because tonight I was the one standing beside the Alpha.

The priest smiled.

"Then let the soul bond begin."

My heart skipped a beat. Damon extended his hand and I placed mine into it.

The moment our skin touched, warmth spread through my body.

The sacred markings around the altar began glowing silver.

Everything was finally...

The doors suddenly slammed open and someone stumbled into the hall. I recognized him instantly. Logan. Celestine’s best friend. I froze at the sight of him, what was he doing here?

Ignoring the horrified looks from the priest and the crowd, he rushed forward.

“Alpha Damon! Celestine. Celestine was attacked by rogues on her way here."

Damon instantly released my hand and the warmth vanished.

My stomach twisted, attacked? How?

Damon grabbed Logan's shoulders.

"Where is she?"

"She called me. She is close to the border."

I could see the concern and fear on Damon's face. It was more emotion than I had seen from him in months.

The priest stepped forward but Damon didn't even let him talk.

“I have to go."

Damon didn't even let him finish.

I stared at him, sure that I had misheard. "What?"

His gaze finally landed on me, "Celestine needs help, she is in trouble."

"But...but the ceremony isn't finished."

He gave me a look of disdain, "Your sister could be dead and all you care about is this stupid ceremony?"

She is not my sister. I wanted to scream. She is not my sister, she is just an imposter who is here to claim everything I ever wanted.

Damon stepped back from the altar. "I have to go get her."

Panic flooded through me.

"No."

The word escaped before I could stop it but I didn't care.

"Damon, please." My voice broke. "Please don't leave."

Please don't go to her like everyone else.

I know how desperate I sounded. I was pathetic and weak but this...he was my only chance at happiness.

"I'm sorry." He said, then he turned around and left.

Just like that.

My parents had long gone the moment Logan had said Celestine was in trouble but I was surprised. After all, they loved her more than me.

Everyone did.

I watched as the crowd dispersed and forced myself to lift my chin and force a shaky smile onto my face.

But my chest hurts.

Goddess.

It hurts so much but I won't cry.

The priest gave me a look of pity, "I'm sorry Aysel. We would postpone this. The binding ceremony can be finished on another day."

No, it won't but I nodded anyway. Celestine would always find a way to interfere and what happened today made me realize something.

It doesn't matter what I do, everyone would choose Celestine over me. So the only person who would choose me was me.

I removed the veil from my head and looked at the priest, "Actually, the bonding ceremony would no longer hold.”